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Home My WebLink About2. Gen Plan - Rancho+CityofDowney STAFF REPORT PLANNING DIVISION DATE: AUGUST 5, 2020 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION r" SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEWED BY: CRYSTAL LANDAVAZO, CITY PLANNERL40e PREPARED BY: ALFONSO HERNANDEZ, SENIOR PLANNER AW SUBJECT: PLN -20-00075 (GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY) — A REQUEST TO FIND THAT THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS RESTORATIVE CARE VILLAGE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN. LOCATION: 7601 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY, DOWNEY, CA ZONING: R-1 5,000 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) REPORT SUMMARY The County of Los Angeles plans to redevelop approximately 6 acres of the Rancho Los Amigos North Campus. The final product will expand medical services provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The Project has been titled the "Restorative Care Village", operated by the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. According to Section 65402(b) of the state's Planning and Zoning Laws, "A county shall not construct or authorize a public building or structure within the corporate limits of a city, if such city has adopted a General Plan, until the location, purpose and extent of such public building or structure have been submitted to and reported on by the planning agency having jurisdiction, as to conformity with said adopted general plan or part thereof." The County of Los Angeles therefore seeks the Downey Planning Commission's determination that it's proposed Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village Project conforms to the Downey General Plan. BACKGROUND The Rancho Los Amigos North Campus is a 48 -acre site located in the southwest portion of the City. Founded in 1888, Rancho Los Amigos is the only rehabilitation hospital for Los Angeles County and provides unique and vital services for an underserved population. Each year, according to the Department of Health Services the hospital provides care to approximately 4,000 inpatients and 71,000 outpatients, making it one of the largest rehabilitation centers in the nation. In 2015, the Planning Commission approved a general plan consistency, via minute action, for the new construction and renovation of over 766,000 square feet. The project was titled the Rancho Los Amigos North Campus Consolidated Plan. Specifically the project aimed to comply with relevant seismic retrofit legislation and simultaneously update inpatient /outpatient facilities. The consolidated plan includes various phases, but the 2015 proposal specifically focused on the expansion of the hospital's outpatient facility centrally located within the campus, a multi -story parking structure located to the west of the campus, and a new 112,00 square foot centrally located outpatient facility. Although major renovation provided much needed updates to the campus as a whole, the project neglected various portions of the 48 -acre campus. Redevelopment of other areas was deferred to a future date. The County of Los Angeles now proposes to complete the portion located to the northeast directly adjacent to the intersection of Rives Avenue and Quill Drive. DISCUSSION The County of Los Angeles proposes the construction of six new two-story buildings totaling 180,000 square feet. The new buildings will operate as three different facilities: the Skilled Nursing Facility, the Residential Treatment Program, and the Recuperative Care Center. These facilities will have a combined number of 483 beds for both inpatient and outpatient services. The project holds a combined budget of $65,127,000. With respect to the Downey General Plan — Vision 2025, the proposed project will implement several of the Plan's goals and policies as follows: Program 1.1.3.1.: Encourage land use that generates jobs. Rancho Los Amigos is the City's largest employer, with about 2,500 employees. The proposed project will expand services and introduce new ones not already provided at the hospital which will require additional personnel and create potential employment opportunities for Downey residents and nearby communities. Goal 4.6.: Conserve energy resources. Policy 4.6.1.: Promote the conservation of energy by residents and business to conserve energy The project is designed to achieve the United States Green Building Council LEED Gold level certification by incorporating sustainable design feature to optimize energy and water use efficiency, enhance the sustainability of the site, improve indoor environmental quality, and maximize the use and reuse of sustainable and local resources. Goal 5.9.: Promote the well-being and general health of those that live and work in Downey Policy 5.9.1.: Support the provision of health care services Program 5.9.1.1.: Encourage the establishment and expansion of uses providing health care services and areas designated for health cares services. Currently, Rancho Los Amigos operates at a yearly capacity of approximately 4,000 impatient and 71,000 outpatients with 540 hospital beds. These figures, as well as the overall services provided, are expected to increase with the addition of 438 hospital beds (81 % increase) and an increase of 180,000 square feet of hospital space. Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village Project General Plan Consistency (PLN -20-00075) August 5, 2020 - Page 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Staff has reviewed the General Plan Consistency for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review staff has determined that CEQA is not applicable to this action, pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section No. 15061 (b)(3). A finding of consistency with the City's General Plan does not approve, adopt, or fund the aforementioned project. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Minute Action making the determination that the County of Los Angeles' proposed Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village Project conforms to the Downey General Plan. Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village Project General Plan Consistency (PLN -20-00075) August 5, 2020 - Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. 20- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS RESTORATIVE CARE VILLAGE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby find, determine and declare that: A. The City of Downey General Plan (Vision 2025) was adopted on January 25, 2005; and, B. On September 22, 2015, the Planning Commission adopted a finding of General Plan consistency for the County of Los Angeles multi -phase Rancho Los Amigos North Campus Consolidated Plan; and, C. On July 23, 2020, the County of Los Angeles requested a finding of General Plan Consistency for phase two of the Rancho Los Amigos North Campus Consolidated Plan: Restorative Care Village project; and, D. Pursuant to State of California Government Code Section 65402(b), a county shall submit and report on new public buildings and structures to the planning agency having jurisdiction and verify conformity with the jurisdiction's adopted general plan; and, E. On August 5, 2020, the Planning Commission reviewed said request and considered all factors relating to the General Plan consistency for the Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village project. SECTION 2. The Planning Commission further finds, determines, and declares that the proposed project was reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section 15061 (b)(3). SECTION 3. The Planning Commission does hereby find and determine that the Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village is consistent with the City of Downey's adopted General Plan because the project contained herein is consistent with the following General Plan goals and policies: Program 1.1.3.1.: Encourage land use that generates jobs. Rancho Los Amigos is the City's largest employer, with about 2,500 employees. The proposed project will expand services and introduce new ones not already provided at the hospital which will require additional personnel and create potential employment opportunities for Downey residents and nearby communities. Resolution No. 20 - Downey Planning Commission Goal 4.6.: Conserve energy resources. Policy 4.6.1.: Promote the conservation of energy by residents and business to conserve energy The project is designed to achieve the United States Green Building Council LEED Gold level certification by incorporating sustainable design feature to optimize energy and water use efficiency, enhance the sustainability of the site, improve indoor environmental quality, and maximize the use and reuse of sustainable and local resources. Goal 5.9.: Promote the well-being and general health of those that live and work in Downey Policy 5.9.1.: Support the provision of health care services Program 5.9.1.1.: Encourage the establishment and expansion of uses providing health care services and areas designated for health care services. Currently, Rancho Los Amigos operates at a yearly capacity of approximately 4,000 impatient and 71,000 outpatients with 540 hospital beds. These figures, as well as the overall services provided, are expected to increase with the addition of 438 hospital beds (81 % increase) and an increase of 180,000 square feet of hospital space. SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of August 2020. Miguel Duarte, Chairman City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adapted b� the Planning Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 5t day of August 2020, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission Rancho Los Amigos Restorative Care Village Project General Plan Consistency (PLN -20-00075) August 5, 2020 - Page 2